Siwgrstorm

A space to talk about the unique issues type 1 parents face, particularly those who have been learning to manage sharing their healthcare with a family. Not a compilation of medical news (plenty do that well already!), but a blog about the experience of diabetes and parenthood. I chose the name Sigwrstorm (sugar storm in Welsh) because it reminds me not only of the way I sometimes feel when things get overwhelming, but the world of my non-diabetic child.

Saturday, September 24, 2005

Screening Children for Type 1

Physicians recommend that children and silblings of type 1 diabetics get screened for evidence of the disease. Have any of you had your children screened? At what age? How did they respond to the process? I am very curious about the best way to approach this. Thanks for you ideas!

Wednesday, September 21, 2005

Kid: "I hope I get diabetes when I grow up." Mom: "Uhhhhh"

I began looking for an online group when my daughter decided that she wanted to be a diabetic. While this was mildly flattering, it concerned me that I wasn't prepared to explain diabetes to her. She has recently become aware of my blood sugar status and I have been hoping to hear more about how other fathers and mothers have coped with this.

Type One Moms

Dear Type One Moms,

I am hoping to create a space to talk about the unique issues type 1 parents face, particularly those who have had diabetes since childhood and who have been learning to manage sharing their healthcare with a family. I chose the name Sigwrstorm (sugar storm in Welsh) because it reminds me not only of the way I sometimes feel when things get overwhelming, but it also describes the world my non-diabetic child lives in. Looking forward to reading your ideas - learning when I'm lucky, teaching when I'm able.

Monday, September 12, 2005

Tsunami Effect

While I usually have problems with low blood sugar, highs are occasionally in the picture. Last night, I must have had a site problem; I became extremely lethargic so I whipped out the meter - 425????? It had been 65 before I changed my site that afternoon so I assumed it was in an old scarred up spot where I used to do injections. I changed my site and bolused but woke up high still, 295. I thought, I am in a hurry, I'll give myself one more bolus and see how it does - within 15 minutes it was down to 179, I was feeling like crap due to the intense swing. How does parenting fit in? This was all happening while I was getting my groggy kid ready for school. My options were to stop everything and hang out at home until I "settled" or keep going and assume things would sort themselves out. I imagine that many parents feel reluctant to stop their child's routine for their issues, but sometimes they should when their care is so important. The compromise - interruption - inconvenience, etc is a tough one to call. Any similar experiences out there?